Monthly Archives: April 2013

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One of my favorite places to view the Hudson River is at the park that is located next to the Dobbs Ferry train station in Westchester County, NY. It offers wonderful views all year long and was especially beautiful when I visited over the weekend, and walked along the river. The flowers and trees were blossoming, the ducks floated by, and kites were flying high as the river’s breeze elevated them way above.

Perhaps one of the greatest aspects of the park is that it offers a variety of unique views from one spot. When facing the water, you can see mountains directly across from you. If you turn right, you have a view of the Tappan Zee bridge as well as the Sleepy Hollow lighthouse. If you face left, you get an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline.

This park is a great place to have a picnic, walk your dog, or relax and read a book. There is also a playground there for children to enjoy. It is also a nice place to spend time if you are waiting for a train. Right beside the park is the restaurant, Half Moon, which I have previously written about. This is a great place to eat before or after taking a stroll through the park.

If you are in the area during the summertime, the park offers free jazz concerts on Wednesday evenings. Bring chairs and a blanket and enjoy the music as you watch the sunset over the Hudson River. It is a unique and wonderful way to hear new music while relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.

I hope you will all get a chance to visit this park or any of the other wonderful ones along the Hudson River. Please share any of your suggestions of great parks along the river in the comments section!

This special post is dedicated to the life of the amazing Ludwig Montesa, who sadly passed away last week. Ludwig was one of the people you meet that touches your life forever. As a resident and a staple in the New Paltz, NY community, Ludwig brought a smile to everyone he came across. My heart broke the other day when I drove down Main Street in New Paltz, knowing I wouldn’t see him there again. The candles and memorial for him on the sidewalk brought a tear to my eye for him, his family, and the town.

Having since moved out of Ulster County, I haven’t had the chance to see and chat with him as often in the past few years. However, a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of catching up with him when I was in the area visiting. I am extremely grateful that I was blessed with a chance to see him and receive one of his genuine and caring hugs one more time. He truly cared for people on a level unknown to many. One of my fondest memories of him was at my graduation from SUNY New Paltz. He was even more excited and happy for me than I was. Of course, he gave me one of his amazing heartwarming hugs accompanied with his contagious smile, which made the moment all the more memorable. Reading through is Facebook Fan page, it is evident that he shared many memories similar to this with others and truly loved and inspired many.

Although still a wonderful place, New Paltz’s Main Street will never quite be the same without his friendly face. Ludwig, you are deeply missed by many but live in the hearts of the lives and town that you so greatly impacted.

For those looking for a charitable and enjoyable evening out, it is without reservation that I recommend that you attend the Empty Bowl’s Dinner on Friday, April 19, 2013. The benefit dinner, which will be held at the Rondout Valley High School in Accord, NY from 5:00 pm-7:30 pm, helps raise money to provide food for families in need throughout the Hudson Valley.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend this year but from having participated in the past, I can truly say it is a unique and wonderful community event. The fun begins immediately when you arrive at the event and get to choose a ceramic bowl (made by professional artists and Rondout Valley High School students and staff members) to use throughout the night and then take home after. There will be approximately 800 ceramic bowls to choose from! Each ceramic bowl costs $15.00 and there is also an option to purchase a disposable paper bowl for $5.00 for those who want to help but do not want to take a bowl home. Approximately 25-30 vendors will be stationed throughout the cafeteria with soups and ice creams for you to fill your bowls up with and try. The participating vendors include local restaurants, delis, florists, a water company, Stewart’s Shop, and a local cheese shop. Their generous donations help make Empty Bowls an amazing event!

This year also happens to be the 10th Anniversary of Empty Bowls. The event was started back in 2003 by Marnie Hart, a Rondout Valley High School art teacher, and one of the school’s students who chose raising money for a local food pantry as her senior W.I.S.E project. During its first year, Empty Bowls initially started as an ice cream social event but expanded during the following year and continued to have both soup and ice cream in the years to follow. In 2006, Fern Sarnoff, who took over teaching ceramics, and her son, Sam Stewart, who attended the school at the time, continued on with the event.

Empty Bowls has proven to be a wonderful and charitable community event. In past years, they have managed to raise over ten thousand dollars. The proceeds from this event get divided between four local food pantries, which is a tremendous help to these pantries and the people they serve. According to Empty Bowls organizer, Fern Sarnoff, “For various reasons, food pantries region-wide are under more stress than usual. It has been difficult for some of them even to keep their doors open, let alone stock the shelves.”

I hope many of you readers will get a chance to experience this event. It is truly a great community experience that benefits a wonderful cause!